Other

FRDC/ACA

The Tasmanian Abalone industry contributes 0.25% of its annual Gross Value of Production (GVP) in the form of a levy to the Commonwealth Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). These research funds are administered via an Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) by the Abalone Council of Australia Ltd. (ACA) for research projects of national significance.

Abalone Council Australia

The TAC is a member of the Abalone Council Australia Ltd (ACA). The ACA is a national peak industry body representing the wild-harvest abalone industry from the five producing states – Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.

The primary function of the ACA is to oversee and manage national R&D investment in abalone related research as set out in the Industry Partnership Agreement (IPA) between the ACA and the FRDC.

The current ACA Strategic Plan focuses on encouraging investment in the following areas:

  • Healthy productive abalone stocks, globally renowned
  • Maximum benefit from the harvest
  • Premium consumers prefer Australian wild abalone
  • Human Capacity that drives success
  • Efficient national leadership

Abalone Association of Australasia Inc

The TAC is also a member of the Abalone Association of Australasia Inc (AAA) – the peak body for Australian Abalone Exporters.

IMAS

Innovation, Research & Development

Marine Research in Tasmanian waters is conducted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The Tasmanian Abalone Council (TAC) is a member of the IMAS Sustainable Marine Research Advisory Committee (SMRAC), thereby ensuring management input into the provision of human and financial resources for abalone related fishery research.

Abalone research in Tasmanian waters is funded from several sources via the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Government.

Additionally, the Tasmanian Government provides resources directly to IMAS for dedicated fishery assessment and research purposes via the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement (SMRCA).

The Abalone Research Advisory Group

The Abalone Research Advisory Group (AbRAG) is convened (and chaired) once per annum by IMAS. Representatives from IMAS and the TAC use this forum to review and prioritise abalone related research.